Monte Carlo Casino | |
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![]() Front view of Casino de Monte-Carlo | |
Location | Place du Casino Monte Carlo, Monaco |
Opening date | July 1865 |
Casino type | Land-based |
Owner | Société des Bains de Mer |
Coordinates | 43°44′22″N 7°25′44″E / 43.73944°N 7.42889°E |
Website | casinomontecarlo |
The Monte Carlo Casino, officially named Casino de Monte-Carlo, is a gambling and entertainment complex located in Monaco. It includes a casino, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.[1]
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is owned and operated by the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), a public company in which the government of Monaco and the ruling princely family have a majority interest. The company also owns the principal hotels, sports clubs, foodservice establishments, and nightclubs throughout the Principality.
The citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms of the casino.[2] The rule banning all Monegasques from gambling or working at the casino was an initiative of Princess Caroline, the de facto regent of Monaco, who amended the rules on moral grounds. The idea that the casino was intended only for foreigners was even emphasized in the name of the company that was formed to operate the gambling business, the Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers (English: Company of Sea Baths and of the Circle of Foreigners).[3]
If you visit Monaco, you will be allowed to enter these casinos – sometimes paying a fee – but local people are only allowed to gamble online, meaning you won't be mixing with any the country's residents at the blackjack or roulette tables.